John 1:16AMP ~ “For out of His fullness [the superabundance of His grace and truth] we have all received grace upon grace [spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing, favor upon favor, and gift heaped upon gift].” Dear Bethany Family: To God be the glory, for our 96th-year celebration, this is ALL His doing! Ninety-six years ago, a vision took root, was planted in faith, watered with prayers, and sustained by the grace of God. Today, as I pause to reflect on our blessed history, journey, and all that God has done for our BBCOC community, it is both humbling and surreal to know that for 62 years of my natural and Christian life, I have been an active participant in our 96-year history. I was baptized at the age of six, by Bethany’s third pastor Reverend Dr. William L. Bransford and licensed to preach, at the age of fifty, by Bethany’s fourth pastor Reverend Dr. Brenda J. Little, both spiritual giants! The God who through Isaiah 46:4 “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you.” It is indeed God who has sustained us for 96 years and each year represents a unique chapter in our story; of faith, perseverance, and witnessing God do great works through a faithful few. For nearly a century, Bethany has stood as a testimony it was God’s enduring grace that enabled us to weather every storm, defy unfavorable predictions about our longevity, embrace transitions, and remain steadfast, through it all! With overwhelming gratitude, I continue to stand in absolute awe of the mighty God we serve! Great is His faithfulness. As we celebrate our past, we honor the pastors, deacons, elders, teachers, missionaries, ushers, choir members, and laypersons, whose faith, prayers, hard work and financially sowing, laid the foundation on which BBCOC stands and the one we will continue to build on. Our church history is deeply rooted in His promises. As we remember the past, we also celebrate the present and embrace our future. It is my honor and privilege to now serve as the fifth pastor of BBCOC for more than a decade. I have been truly blessed to labor alongside and lead this loving congregation through some of the most unprecedented occurrences in our history; a global pandemic and remote worship, to seasons of transition and growth but unwavering faith has remained our anchor. Guided by the Holy Spirit and committed to the vision God has set before us, I remain dedicated to building on our strong spiritual foundation, believing God for greater. As we look back and give thanks, I also remind us we still have a charge to keep. God is calling us to move forward in faith, not rest in past victories. He has not finished His work with BBCOC. As Philippians 1:6 assures us, “He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it.” We must continue to purpose ourselves to be the church where justice flows like a river, where the oppressed are set free, and where the gospel is not only proclaimed but actualized through our actions. This is our future and by God’s grace, we will walk in it! For His goodness & Mercy toward us, Pastor Holmes
SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2025 MORNING ORDER OF WORSHIP Call to Worship & Introduction of Worship Leader…………………….........................Derrick Giles Worship Leader…………………………………………………………………………….Aaliyah Giles Prayer of Invocation……………………………………………………………..Minister Jean Scruggs Welcome & Greeting………………………………………………………………Ermione Saint Louis Community Song of Thanksgiving…………………………………….........Great is Thy Faithfulness Hymn #153 Scripture Readings Old Testament: Lamentations 3:22-23……………………………………….…Deacon Rodney Love New Testament: Philippians 1:6…………………………….…………….Deacon Christopher Sharp Gospel: John 15:5………………………………………….…………………….Deacon Rufus Holmes Ministry of Music………………………………………………………...Bethany Inspirational Choir Men’s Choir…………………………………………………………………………………….Bethany Invitation to Financially Sow……………………………………………………….Victoria Oliphant Bethany Angels Liturgical Praise & Worship Ministry Ministry of Music……………………………………………………….Bethany Inspirational Choir Sermonic Word…………………………………………………………....Pastor Martha R. Holmes Invitation to Discipleship………………………………………………………….…..Pastor Holmes Closing Remarks & Recognition………………..…………………………..………..Pastor Holmes Closing Prayer & Benediction………………………………………………………..Pastor Holmes
SUNDAY, JUNE 29, 2025 AFTERNOON ORDER OF WORSHIP Call to Worship & Introduction of Worship Leader……………………...................Roosevelt Askew Worship Leader…………………………………………………..………………………...Brenda Ruff Prayer of Invocation………………………………………………………….Minister Loretta English Welcome & Greeting………………………………………………………………...Rebecca Edwards Community Song of Thanksgiving……………………………………........Great is Thy Faithfulness Hymn #153 Scripture Readings Old Testament: Psalm 100:5………………………………………………....Minister Sherry Walker New Testament: 1 Corinthians 3:6-8…………………………….……………………….Ashley Frost Gospel: Matthew 16:18 ………………………………………………………………..Amanda Bodon Ministry of Music…………………………………………………………Rev. Brenda J. Little Choir Invitation to Financially Sow……………………………………………………………..Catina Allen Voices of Tomorrow (The Difference BBCOC Has Made to Them)………………Vanessa Harvey Introduction of the Messenger………………………………………..………………Ashton Mitchell Ministry of Music………………………………………………………………….SBC Choir (A & B) Sermonic Word…………………………………………………..Reverend Dr. Michael C.R. Nabors Pastor, Second Baptist Church, Evanston, IL. Invitation to Discipleship………………………………………………….Pastor Martha R. Holmes Closing Remarks & Acknowledgements …………….……………………..………...Pastor Holmes Expression of Gratitude to Pastor & Mrs. Nabors………………………………….....Kiana Sharp Closing Prayer & Benediction………………………………………………………....Pastor Nabors
Pastor, Second Baptist Church Reverend. Dr. Michael C. R. Nabors is senior pastor of the historic Second Baptist Church in Evanston, Illinois. The 142-year-old Church is one of the oldest African American congregations on the North Shore. Since arriving at Second Baptist, Dr. Nabors has sought to continue leading the church in its historical role as a trumpeter for Christ and as a social justice advocate in Evanston and Metro Chicago. Recently, Second Baptist Church has become a leading faith center in America in facilitating Race Talk Solidarity Circles in local communities. Dr. Nabors teaches Homiletics and Qualitative Research and Theological Writing at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. He served as Director of the Master of Divinity and Student Life Programs at Ecumenical Theological Seminary in Detroit where he was professor of Homiletics and African American Religious History. He has taught at Ashland Theological Seminary, Calvin Theological Seminary, and Marygrove College. Dr. Nabors earned an undergraduate degree in English and Creative Writing at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, Michigan, the Master of Divinity with an emphasis in Systematic Theology and the Master of Theology with an emphasis in Ethics at Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey and the Doctor of Ministry focusing on African American Preaching at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. He has been both a Samuel DeWitt Proctor and Benjamin E. Mays Fellow. He was also a Fellow in the Sustaining Pastoral Excellence- Lily Endowment Program as well as a Fellow in the Pastor-Theologian Lily Endowment Program. Since 2019, Dr. Nabors has been part of the Steering Committee for Evanston Reparations, the first municipal reparations program in the United States, allocating 10 million dollars to Black Evanstonians to repair historical damages due to racism. He has received over 100 community, church and ministry awards for leadership and service in New Jersey, Michigan and Illinois. Before leaving Princeton, New Jersey, the Mayor and City Council commemorated his leadership by naming October 12th, “Dr. Michael Nabors Day.” He also served as president of the Princeton and Trenton, New Jersey branches of the NAACP and is currently in his third term as president of the Evanston-North Shore Branch of the NAACP. A regarded speaker, preacher and lecturer, he has been invited to address universities, seminaries, high schools, community organizations, churches, religious conventions and symposiums throughout the United States.
*A Faithful Five Pastors have planted, Bethany officers, leaders, and lay members watered, but God gave and continues to give the increase! The House of Worship now known as the Bethany Baptist Church of Christ, had its humble beginnings and was originally organized in 1929 under the name Emerson Street Second Baptist, by the late Reverend Dr. Isaiah A. Thomas. The church naming convention was the result of Reverend Thomas’ ? with Second Baptist Church and Bethany’s once land ownership of the property at 1619 Emerson St., which was sold in 1964 and is now the home of Jacob Blake Manor a senior care living community. Reverend Thomas served as the pastor of Emerson Street Second Baptist for 26 years from 1929-1955, he was also the moderator of the Bethlehem Baptist Association of Chicago, where he served in this capacity for forty years as well as Chairman of the Executive Board of the Chicago Baptist Institute. Following the death of Pastor I.A. Thomas, the church carried on without a formal pastor until through the efforts of the pulpit search committee, Reverend N.L. McClendon was called to the pastorate in May,1957 and served for three years before leaving Emerson Street Second Baptist and accepting the pastorate calling by the Antioch Baptist Church in Decatur, IL. With the pastorate once again vacant, a pulpit church committee was formed under the leadership of Chairman of the Trustee Ministry, John H. Bryant Sr. and following due process, in January of 1960, Reverend Dr. William L. Bransford was called to the pastorate. Reverend Bransford was ordained in Glasco, Kentucky, served as Chaplin in the United States Naval Reserve for 40 years, as well as held a host of other religious and academic degrees from Howard University, New York University, Yale University School of Divinity, Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, and Illinois State University. Under Reverend Dr. Bransford’s pastorate, in 1964 the church name Emerson Street Second Baptist was changed to its current name Bethany Baptist Church of Christ and the property at 1225 Elmwood [formerly the home of the Boy Scouts of America] was purchased and became the new home for BBCOC. Under Reverend Bransford’s leadership, the mortgage was retired early and a mortgage burning celebration of thanksgiving unto God, was held. Pastor Bransford served faithfully and sacrificially for 29 years, until his death on June 25th, 1989. Following a two-year pastoral search, the BBCOC pulpit vacancy, in March of 1990, Reverend Brenda J. Little became the first woman to be elected as pastor of Bethany Baptist Church of Christ, where she served as senior pastor until her death in ? . Reverend Little was licensed and ordained to the Gospel ministry, and served as the Assistant Pastor of Second Baptist Church, Evanston, IL under the pastorate of the late Dr Hycel B. Taylor, for 7 years. Professionally, Reverend Little received her Diploma in Nursing from Michael Reese Hospital, a Bachelor of Religious Education from Chicago Baptist Institute, and both her Doctor of Ministry and Master of Divinity degrees in Pastoral Ministry and Counseling from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reverend Dr. Little lead and pioneered the path for numerous women and men to serve in ordained ministry. Reverend Dr. Little was one of the founders of Christian Church Baptist, Women Spiritually Empowered [WSE] which annually, drew women of all ages, from multiple states, and congregations, to come together in green lake, WI for a weekend of preaching, praise, prayer, spiritual empowerment, and renewal. Reverend Little holds a plethora of recognition and achievements, nationally and internationally. She served as the beloved pastor of BBCOC for 22 years, until her death in December of 2012. After being sustained under the leadership of the BBCOC Diaconate Ministry and with the advocacy of local pastors, and the Bethlehem Baptist District Association, In January 2015 Reverend Martha R. Holmes became the 2nd female and 5th pastor in the 96-year history of Bethany Baptist Church of Christ where she has been a lifelong member, was licensed to preach by Reverend Dr. Brenda J. Little, has served on the ministerial team, and is currently the Senior Pastor.
for fortune 500 corporations, for 52-years and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management & Business, from National-Louis University and a Master of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Thus far, God has used Reverend Holmes to completely renovate every room within BBCOC, from the roof to the foundation, numeric and spiritual growth within the congregation, train and ordain one deacon, train and license two new ministers, partner with GETS as a Field Education site for new seminarians, initiate Congregational Care Circles, Bi-monthly study of the Bible, food pantry, and first church logo. “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Psalm 127:1
1929……1955
1957…...1960
Fleepit Digital © 2021